Caregiving Across the Miles

You did it…… you grew up, became successful, started a family of your own, and moved out…states away, even, from your Mom and Dad.  Or, as is often the case in this beautiful area of western Arizona, your Mom and Dad have moved away from you!  You visit from time to time and keep in touch by talking on the phone and emailing pictures of grandchildren, and possibly great grandchildren, on a regular basis. 

As your parents grow older, though, a realization may hit home – they may require more help than they used to in terms of both physical and emotional support.  If you live far away, it can be very hard to provide the type of support and care they need.  Not only is this frustrating for you, it can become frightening for your loved one. 

If you are attempting to care for a loved one from afar, rest assured you are not alone.  As one of the leading in-home care companies for adults, Comfort Keepers^® has recognized this challenge exists in many families and has devised a simple, yet important, list of ways to make caregiving from afar as easy as possible.

·         Communicate.  Realize that Mom or Dad may not want to worry you with their problems or health issues.  Discuss this with them and make them understand how important it is that they be completely open and honest with you about their lives.  Also, call them often!  You do not need to discuss important issues with them every time…just call to chat and keep each other in the loop of your daily lives.  Talking often about day-to-day events fosters a closeness that you will treasure and also makes it easier to discuss critical matters as they arise.

·         Ask for help.  Taking care of aging parents from hundreds, or even thousands of miles away may require assistance.  Comfort Keepers offers a wide variety of services that can help parents like your own.  From grocery shopping and preparing meals to cleaning their house and trips to the doctor’s office – our caregivers, who we call Comfort Keepers, can assist your parents with many tasks, as well as provide company and companionship when you can’t be there.

Keep track of their specifics.  It is important for you to know certain things about your parents.  For example: social security numbers, who their doctor(s) is, medications they take, the name of their attorney, or any other important information.  Also, knowing their dates and places of birth, who their creditors are, what assets and investments they hold, etc., can help you navigate numerous matters that may arise, especially if they become victims of fraud.  This information is also essential for you to know if you end up having to help your parents manage money.